Gillian Kirkpatrick News

West End theatres are likely to be at a premium next year, with the possibility of THE BOOK OF MORMON, SWEENEY TODD, VIVA FOREVER, THE BODYGUARD and more taking a bow.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to beStephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

Along with previously announced Michael Ball, also starring in the U.K. Tour of Hairspray will be Laurie Scarth, Liam Doyle, and Danny Bayne. The tour begins at the Cardriff Millenium Centre and will begin March 30th, immediately following its West End closing. The tour is scheduled to run through January 2011 with stops in Glasgow, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Manchester, Plymouth, Liverpool, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Birmingham, Bradford and Edinburgh. For a full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

Along with previously announced Michael Ball, also starring in the U.K. Tour of Hairspray will be Laurie Scarth, Liam Doyle, and Danny Bayne. The tour begins at the Cardriff Millenium Centre and will begin March 30th, immediately following its West End closing. The tour is scheduled to run through January 2011 with stops in Glasgow, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Manchester, Plymouth, Liverpool, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Birmingham, Bradford and Edinburgh. For a full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

The producers of HAIRSPRAY are delighted to announce full, all star casting for the show that will embark on its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland this year.

Anna Francolini and Gary Waldhorn will be joining the Royal Opera House's new production of Into the Woods next month

Beverley Klein, Anne Reid and Clive Rowe are to star in a new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's acclaimed Into the Woods at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House opening on 18 June 2007.

Billy Elliot The Musical is to re-schedule its first three preview performances. Performances will now begin on Thursday 31 March . The previews have been re-scheduled in order to give the 45 children who are performing in the production a less arduous rehearsal period leading up to their West End debut.